Hundreds of gym enthusiasts have been left stranded by the sudden closure of the Fitness Joint gymnasium at the Mdantsane City Mall in NU6.
Co-director Zola Dunywa said they owed R3-million in rent.
A closed sign went up leaving hundreds of members and employees demanding answers from Dunywa and his partner, Khaya Majeke, the former manager of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
Dunywa admitted they had been short-paying their monthly rent by R90000.
“The rental for this facility is around R240000, but we have been paying about R150000.”
Two years ago the Fitness Joint acquired an academy status from Sascoc to help develop sporting talent in the township.
The gym was the perfect venue for boxing weigh-ins and press conferences, and for amateur and professional boxers to prepare for crucial fights.
With members frequently calling to enquire about their membership, Dunywa admitted they were trying to find new owners.
“What is disappointing is that the possibility exists that this facility may be taken over by white owners and this flies against the concept we had when we started it, as we wanted it to reflect our community. But what can we do?”
The closure has forced Duncan Village boxer Siyabonga Siyo to find another venue, disrupting his training schedule for his IBO world mini-flyweight title clash against Simpiwe Konkco in Johannesburg in two weeks.
Aspiring swimmers and rugby players from nearby Mdantsane schools and clubs, and the elderly, are also locked out.
Dunywa bemoaned the failure of Buffalo City Metro (BCM) to enter into a joint venture.
“We held numerous meetings with BCM when Andile Fani was municipal manager. The meetings were geared towards ensuring that the township community has a facility right on its doorstep instead of having to travel all the way to town.
“Our swimming pools were serving thousands of schools in and around Mdantsane.”
Dunywa and Majeke appealed in writing to premier Phumulo Masualle to make good his calls for former Eastern Cape entrepreneurs to invest in the project.
Premier’s Office spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said their letter did not specify what led to the closure and rental arrears. “The facility is a private business. For the premier to step in and save every privately owned business would be a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
Majeke said the state-of-the-art gym, launched in 2010 amid fanfare, attracted over 2500 members when it opened.
This dwindled to just over 1000 as members defaulted, hitting the owners’ pockets hard.
The monthly electricity bill was around R60000 and the 25 employees cost the business R85000.
Mdantsane state-of-the-art gymnasium closes down
Co-director Zola Dunywa said they owed R3-million in rent.
A closed sign went up leaving hundreds of members and employees demanding answers from Dunywa and his partner, Khaya Majeke, the former manager of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
Dunywa admitted they had been short-paying their monthly rent by R90000.
“The rental for this facility is around R240000, but we have been paying about R150000.”
Two years ago the Fitness Joint acquired an academy status from Sascoc to help develop sporting talent in the township.
The gym was the perfect venue for boxing weigh-ins and press conferences, and for amateur and professional boxers to prepare for crucial fights.
With members frequently calling to enquire about their membership, Dunywa admitted they were trying to find new owners.
“What is disappointing is that the possibility exists that this facility may be taken over by white owners and this flies against the concept we had when we started it, as we wanted it to reflect our community. But what can we do?”
The closure has forced Duncan Village boxer Siyabonga Siyo to find another venue, disrupting his training schedule for his IBO world mini-flyweight title clash against Simpiwe Konkco in Johannesburg in two weeks.
Aspiring swimmers and rugby players from nearby Mdantsane schools and clubs, and the elderly, are also locked out.
Dunywa bemoaned the failure of Buffalo City Metro (BCM) to enter into a joint venture.
“We held numerous meetings with BCM when Andile Fani was municipal manager. The meetings were geared towards ensuring that the township community has a facility right on its doorstep instead of having to travel all the way to town.
“Our swimming pools were serving thousands of schools in and around Mdantsane.”
Dunywa and Majeke appealed in writing to premier Phumulo Masualle to make good his calls for former Eastern Cape entrepreneurs to invest in the project.
Premier’s Office spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said their letter did not specify what led to the closure and rental arrears. “The facility is a private business. For the premier to step in and save every privately owned business would be a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
Majeke said the state-of-the-art gym, launched in 2010 amid fanfare, attracted over 2500 members when it opened.
This dwindled to just over 1000 as members defaulted, hitting the owners’ pockets hard.
The monthly electricity bill was around R60000 and the 25 employees cost the business R85000.
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